Valentine's Day Names
- Nazanin
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"sweetheart"Description:
This sweet-sounding and sweet meaning name is popular across the Middle East and Central Asia. Notable bearers include actress Nazanin Boniadi and British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose arrest and imprisonment in Iran in 2016 continues to make headlines.
- Amada
Origin:
Feminine variation of Amado, SpanishMeaning:
"loved"Description:
Amada is an unusual Spanish name that's becoming more famous thanks to Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who named their second daughter Amada Lee and their first Esmeralda Amada. Amada was also the name of two characters played by Mendes and, not coincidentally, her grandmother's name. In 2015, it was used for only 21 girls while brother name Amado was used for twice as many girls, but we predict the name will become more popular thanks to its new star power. Related names include the Latin saints' name Amatus, the musical Amadeo, and even Amy and Amanda.
- Graziano
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"pleasing, beloved, dear"Description:
Italian form of Gratian, the name of a Roman emperor who campaigned across the Rhine and favored Christianity over paganism. Graziano isn't common either in the English-speaking world or its native Italy, although the boxer Rocky Graziano adopted it from his grandfather's surname. In the current vogue for names ending in -o and Italian names, it may be worth a second look.
- Serenade
Origin:
Music nameDescription:
Peaceful and melodic, but a bit pretentious.
- Ife
Origin:
African, YorubaMeaning:
"love"Description:
Simple African name all-but-unknown in the U.S. and Europe, which is exactly why it might make a perfect choice. Similarity to such popular names as Ava and Eva (and the Irish Aoife) makes it more familiar, but potentially more confusing.
- Philou
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"love"Description:
This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.
- Hubbell
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"brave heart"Description:
Memorable as the Waspy Robert Redford character who captivated the young Barbra Streisand in the film classic "The Way We Were": Hubbell Gardiner.
- Carwyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"blessed love"Description:
A famous bearer is Carwyn Jones, leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister of Wales since 2009. Feminine version is Carwen.
- Amarissa
Origin:
Combination name, Ama + issaMeaning:
"little lover"Description:
Amarissa is kind of cobbled together from two traditional elements: Ama, which means "love" or "lover" and is found in such more established names as Amabel and Amariah, and -issa, which is a common feminine suffix that functions as a diminutive. While Amarissa is pretty and frilly, it may frequently be misunderstood as Marissa, Melissa, and may ultimately be more trouble than it's worth.
- Querida
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"dear, beloved"Description:
Loving choice.
- Dushan
Origin:
CzechMeaning:
"heartfelt, sincere"Description:
One of the few Czech names that seems accessible here.
- Esha
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"desire"Description:
Esha is a lovely Indian name that would work well outside the Indian sub-continent, perhaps as a substitute to the more unisex Asher.
- Miyeon
Origin:
KoreanMeaning:
"beautiful and kind-hearted"Description:
This fairly common Korean girls' name counts Korean actress Lee Mi-Yeon and American composer Serra Miyeun Hwang among notable bearers.
- Tyas
Origin:
IndonesianMeaning:
"heart of hearts"Description:
Tyas is an unusual Indonesian name that's simple and straightforward and could make an distinctive choice in the Western World.
- Urvashi
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"she who controls the hearts of others"Description:
In Hindu mythology, Urvashi is the name of a powerful and beautiful nymph. It's a popular name borne by both Indian actresses (Urvashi Rautela) and archivists (Urvashi Vaidi).
- Drury
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"dear one, sweetheart"Description:
Rhythmic and energetic, Drury is of French origin, with the wonderful meaning of "dear one, sweetheart."
- Philippine
Origin:
French, feminine variation of PhilippeMeaning:
"lover of horses"Description:
Philippine would be taken as an ethnic identification rather than a name in the U.S. Better try Philippa, though if you don't mind eternally correcting people, Philippine can make an interesting alternative. Pippa can be a short form of Philippine as well as Philippa.
- Amoris
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"love"Description:
This Latin word for love is not traditionally used as a name, but why not? It's got a pretty sound and some distinctive flair. Variants Amori or Amorie can also be thought of as different spellings of Amory, which has a very different meaning and roots. Only downside: Sounds almost exactly like "amorous," meaning in the mood for love, which could provoke some adolescent teasing.
- Caron
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"loving, kindhearted, charitable,"Description:
Though it sounds like Karen, this spelling makes the name more distinctive.
- Aroha
Origin:
MāoriMeaning:
"love"Description:
This beautiful Māori name meaning love (cognate with Hawaiian aloha) is more wearable than the English word and softer Venus or Aphrodite. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern named her daughter Neve Te Aroha in 2018. Aroha / Te Aroha was the most popular Māori baby girl name in 2023-24.